Miscellaneous, 191 



interesting statistics of tlie mineral produce of that country. The 

 amount of gold upon which. Eoyalty has been paid is, for the year 

 ending 30th September, 24,867 oz. 5 dwt. 22 gr., being an increase 

 of 6123 oz. dwt. 10 gr. upon that obtained to the end of the 

 previous year, 1864. The average yield of gold per ton of quartz 

 shows an increase over the preceding year of about five per cent., 

 a fact stated to confirm the prevalent impression, that the deeper 

 mining is carried, the richer will be the quartz. As explorations are 

 extended it becomes more obvious that the possibility of profitable 

 mining is not confined to the isolated localities which constitute the 

 heretofore proclaimed gold-districts, but it seems to be almost certain 

 that the great band of Metamorphic rocks which extends along the 

 Atlantic coast, the whole length of the province, is auriferous, and 

 to such a degree as to render gold-mining highly remunerative. The 

 general results of Coal-mining have been no less satisfactory than 

 those of gold-mining, there being thirty collieries in operation, 

 which have yielded 652,854 tons of fuel during the year. — H. B. W. 



British Association. — At a meeting of the Council of the Asso- 

 ciation, held at Burlington House on the 23rd February, the follow- 

 ing Lord and Gentlemen were appointed Presidents of the Sections at 

 the Nottingham meeting. Section A, Mathematical and Physical 

 Science, Professor Wheatstone ; B, Chemistry, Professor Frankland ; 

 C, Geology, W. J. Hamilton, Esq. ; D, Biology, Professor Huxley ; 

 E, Geography and Ethnology, Sir Charles Hamilton ; P, Economic 

 Science and Statistics, Lord Belper ; G, Mechanics, James Nasmyth, 

 Esq. 



New Greek Island. — A new island began to rise above the 

 level of the sea in the Bay of Thera (Santorin) on February 4th, 

 and in five days attained a height of from 130 feet to 150 feet, with 

 a length of upwards of 350 feet, and a breadth of 100 feet. It is 

 mainly composed of a black lava, and continues to increase. The 

 emergence of the island was preceded, on January 31st, by "a noise 

 like volleys of artillery," and on the following day flames issued 

 from the sea, rising at intervals to the height of 15 feet. On Feb- 

 ruary 4th the eruptions became more violent, and the sea more dis- 

 turbed, and the new island was visible next morning. It has been 

 visited by Dr. Dekigalla, an able observer, who will record all the 

 phenomena connected with the eruption. Other islands situated in 

 the same bay have risen from the sea in historic periods. — Times 

 February 23, 1866. 



Scientific Opinion. — Number one of a new weekly periodical is 

 announced for April 4th, entitled " Scientific Opinion." It is intended 

 " to effect for scientific readers what ' Public Opinion ' has achieved 

 for those who are interested in politics and general literature. In its 

 pages will be found extracts from the more important articles published 

 in the scientific periodicals of England, the Continent, and America. 

 It will not be devoted exclusively to any special branch of science, 



